Philippine Basketball Association coaches are puzzled over the physical condition of the big guns who opted to skip the Draft Combine at the Gatorade Hoops Center.
Meralco coach Luigi Trillo is wondering why the marquee players were absent in the two-day event aimed to display the ability and potential of applicants for the Annual Rookie Draft.
Big names like former University of the Philippines star Zavier Lucero and former University of the East stalwart Luis Villegas were absent as well as Filipino-American prospects Stephen Holt and Keith Datu, leaving coaches and scouts struggling to gauge them before the annual selection process that will be held this Sunday at Market! Market! Activity Center in Taguig.
“Now you’re going to wonder if these guys will be healthy enough for the Draft or how their stocks will be affected since they are coming off injuries. If they are still injured, are they worth the wait” Trillo told Daily Tribune in an interview.
“Also, a big question was the absence of (Stephen) Holt and (Keith) Datu. All we relied on are the reputations they have established in the past games, but of course we want to see how they play now.”
Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao raised the idea of penalizing aspirants who will skip the Draft Combine.
“These are the teams’ chances of seeing them up close and personal, so there should be sanctions that should be given to those who would avoid joining the Draft Combine,” Guiao said.
“Unless, of course, you have a valid reason.”
Guiao’s deputy, Mike Buendia, who was coaching one of the teams in the Draft Combine, justified the absence of Lucero and Villegas.
“Villegas and Lucero are still coming off ACL injuries,” Buendia said. “Holt is still in the US as his wife just gave birth. Datu just arrived on Wednesday.”
But even if they are coming off injuries, Buendia thinks the value of Lucero and Villegas will not take a hit.
“They have high potential,” Buendia said.
“But of course, it will also depend on the needs of the team that will draft them.”
